Numerical Assessment of Drainage Design on Seepage Control in Earth Dams

10.22034/cpj.2026.578285.1436

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 April 2026

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 DINAKANI 20METRI

2 Department of Civil Engineering, Bey. C., Islamic Azad University, Beyza, Iran

Abstract
"This study evaluates the efficacy of various downstream drainage configurations in mitigating seepage within earth dams, utilizing extensive numerical simulations via the SEEP/W module. Model validity was established through rigorous benchmarking against existing experimental and computational literature, confirming high consistency. Parametric analysis identifies horizontal drain length as the dominant factor in seepage reduction, whereas drain thickness exhibits minimal influence. Specifically, an optimal horizontal drain length-to-dam width ratio (L/B) of 0.34 was determined to maximize performance. In contrast, variations in toe drain angle yielded negligible improvements. Furthermore, inclined chimney drains demonstrated superior hydraulic efficiency compared to vertical arrangements. Beyond specific geometric findings, the research advocates for site-specific design protocols, noting that soil permeability, hydraulic gradients, and dam geometry critically influence seepage behavior, thereby limiting the utility of generalized standards. The study concludes by recommending future inquiries into combined drainage systems and long-term performance under varying environmental conditions. Ultimately, this work validates SEEP/W as a robust tool for optimizing dam safety and sustainability through tailored drainage design."

Keywords

Subjects
  • Receive Date 26 February 2026
  • Accept Date 21 April 2026
  • First Publish Date 21 April 2026
  • Publish Date 21 April 2026